Welcome to Green Advantage^®

Green Advantage^®, the country’s longest-standing green certification for builders and building-related practitioners, offers three certification exams:

• Commercial
• Residential
• Commercial/Residential

Green Advantage Certified Practitioners (GACPs) have passed one or more exams, demonstrating their knowledge of the latest in green building principles, materials and techniques. Green Advantage Certification helps builders get jobs, contractors win bids, and allows building occupants to enjoy healthier, more efficient homes and buildings.

Individual Green Advantage (GA) Exams are offered nationwide at conveniently located testing centers.  While attending a training event is not required to sit for the exam, it is always recommended. Preparatory training courses and workshops are developed and delivered by organizations independent of Green Advantage. Group administered Green Advantage (GA) Exams may be coordinated with these events.

>> Learn more about becoming a Green Advantage Certified Practitioner (GACP) now!

Who is GA Certification for?

• Construction Workers (of all trades)
• Contractors, Subcontractors and Crews
• Architects, Designers and Engineers
• Developers and Real Estate Professionals
• Planners, Code Officials and Governmental Officials
• Property Managers and Facility Managers
• Energy Raters, Retrofitters and other Green Consultants

GA’s holistic and foundational approach ensures that Green Advantage Certified Practitioners (GACPs) understand how their work is connected to the rest of the building process, encouraging more collaboration on projects and more efficient, greener results.

>> Read more about the Green Advantage mission

Building Soon?

>> Find a Green Advantage Certified Practitioner (GACP) near you in our online directory

Organizations Providing Training for the Green Advantage^® Certification Exams:

• ABC Delaware
• Axiom Sustainable Consulting
• Becoming Green, Inc.
• Contractors Exam School
• Fiorilli Construction
• Grand Rapids Community College
• Green Learning Institute
• Lord Fairfax Community College
• Northern Virginia Community College
• Penn State University
• Resource Dynamics/Green Building Education
• Sustainable Design Consulting
• University of Florida

• What's Working
• Wilson Community College

Green Advantage will post preparatory trainings for the Green Advantage Certification Exam that academic and professional organizations schedule.  Find out more about offering training. 

Organizations wishing to list GA preparatory training events or products on the GA website should review the following: How to Post a Workshop on the GA website 

Green Advantage, as a certifying body, does not offer, endorse or authorize trainings.  Academic or professional organizations interested in providing training are encouraged to become thoroughly familiar with the Certification Exam Overview (click here) and the Green Advantage Open Book Exam Reference in order to prepare curricula and prepare for delivering training.  Green Advantage Certification is also encouraged for anyone preparing curricula or training students. 

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

At the local level, individual homeowners and commercial property owners directly benefit from green building practices: lower energy bills, lower water bills, and healthier longer-lasting homes. But the cumulative effect of large-scale green building can have enormous benefits for the community, the nation and the planet.

Green Advantage Open-Book Exam Policy

Upon exam registration and payment, exam candidates will receive the Green Advantage® Open Book Exam Reference.  This newly developed resource has been designed to aid exam candidates in their preparation for the exam and is permitted within the exam setting. Meant to complement additional training materials, not to replace them, the Open Book Exam Reference should not to be considered a standalone training manual or curriculum guide.  While training is not required prior to sitting for the exam, it is highly recommended.  Resources and materials from training workshops, classes, or study sessions are also permitted and may be referenced within the exam setting– including trainee manuals, guides, handouts, and notes. 

Individuals have one year from the time of registration to sit for the exam.  As resources and exam questions are updated regularly, it is recommended that exam candidates waiting longer than 3 months to take the exam after registering request and review the most current version of the Green Advantage® Open Book Exam Reference.  Please email requests to exams@greenadvantage.org including your original registration date.

(Once certified, GACPs may also request and receive at any time free updated copies of the Open Book Exam Reference.  Please submit your request to exams@greenadvantage.org.)

Note that this and all other policies and procedures are subject to change at any time by Green Advantage®, Inc.  The Green Advantage® website, Open Book Exam Reference, exam and other materials, policies and procedures are continually being improved; input from training organizations, faculty and curriculum developers is encouraged and welcome. Ideas, concerns and suggestions may be forwarded to suggestions@greenadvantage.org. 

AIA Sustainable Design Learning Units (LUs) may be    self reported for time spent taking your Green Advantage Exam.

LEED Credential Maintenance Program will award 1 Continuing Education (CE) hour for your Green Advantage Certification earned within the reporting period - recognizing successful completion of a training program related to or supporting green building.